The Bergling family is sharing the story of Tim, their son who was known as Avicii. On April 20, 2018, Avicii tragically took his own life at the age of 28 while on holiday in Oman. Klas Bergling, Tim’s father, deeply misses his son and sometimes struggles with anger and questions about why Tim left them. Avicii rose to fame with hits like “Levels” and became a poster boy for the EDM genre, earning a significant amount from his tours. However, at 26, he retired from live shows due to his physical and mental health struggles. Despite a period of recovery, Tim continued to battle his inner demons, leading to his final, tragic decision. The Bergling family is now working to honor Tim’s legacy through the Tim Bergling Foundation and a picture book that showcases his life beyond the stage. They want to open up conversations about mental health, especially among young people. Tim’s journey to fame was unique, starting with posting tracks online and adopting the name Avicii. He struggled with anxiety and health issues throughout his career, turning to alcohol and facing addiction. The family emphasizes the need for systemic changes in the music industry to better support artists’ mental and physical well-being. Despite his success, Tim faced challenges with his mental health, leading to delays in his music and clashes with the media. The family intervened to help Tim, but the struggles continued. Klas reflects on the difficult decisions they had to make and the impact it had on the family. La fundación de Avicii apoyó la nueva línea nacional de prevención de suicidios de Suecia, con el gobierno trabajando en legislación para investigar mejor el suicidio. Es parte del plan de 50 años de Klas para cementar el legado de su hijo.
En un concierto tributo, Klas prometió impulsar el suicidio en la agenda política. “Intentamos que asistieran tantos jóvenes como fuera posible, así como políticos”, recuerda Klas.
“Uno de los momentos más impactantes fue un gran grupo de padres subiendo al escenario que habían perdido a sus hijos por suicidio. Fue un momento muy fuerte”.